specs OF KENSINGTON

DASKA BARNETT
PRINCIPAL
ELAINE STYLES
CHLOE ROBSON
BSc. (Hons) MCOptom

BSc. (Hons) MCOptom Dip CLP

BSc. (Hons) MCOptom

OPTOMETRISTS – CONTACT LENSES

HYPERMETROPIA
What is Hypermetropia?
If you can see objects at a distance clearly but have trouble focusing well on objects
close up, you may be farsighted.

Your eye care practitioner may refer to farsightedness as long-sightedness, or by its

medical names, hypermetropia or hyperopia. Hypermetropia causes the eyes to exert
extra effort to see close up. After viewing nearby objects for an extended period, you
may experience blurred vision, headaches and eyestrain. Children who are farsighted
may find reading difficult.

Hypermetropia is not a disease, nor does it mean that you have "bad eyes." It simply
means that you have a variation in the shape of your eyeball. The degree of variation
will determine whether you will need corrective lenses.

What causes hypermetropia?

Hypermetropia most commonly occurs because the eyeball is too short; that is, shorter
from front to back than is normal. In some cases, the cornea having too little curvature
may cause hypermetropia.

Exactly why eyeball shape varies is not known, but the tendency for farsightedness is
inherited. Other factors may be involved too, but to a lesser degree than heredity.

How does hypermetropia affect sight?

Our ability to "see" starts when light enters the eye through the cornea. The shape of
the cornea and the lens help bend (refract) light rays in such a manner that light is
focused into a point precisely on the retina.

If, as in farsightedness, the eyeball is too short, the "point of light" focuses on a
location behind the retina, instead of on the correct area of the retina, known as the
fovea. Consequently, at the point on the retina where a fine point of light should be
focused, there is instead a disk-shaped area of light. Since light is not focused when it
hits the retina, vision is blurred.

Convex lenses are prescribed to bend light rays more sharply and bring them to focus
on the retina.

Who is affected by hypermetropia?

Many people have a degree of farsightedness, yet it is only a problem if it
significantly affects our ability to see well or causes headaches or eyestrain.

How is it diagnosed?
Hypermetropia is seldom diagnosed in school eye-screening tests, which typically test
only the ability to see objects at a distance. A comprehensive eye health examination
that checks both near and far vision is necessary to diagnose farsightedness.

36 EARLS COURT ROAD LONDON W8 6EA TEL: 020 7938 1251 FAX: 7938 4403
EMAIL: info@specsofken.com WEBSITE: www.specsofken.com
specs OF KENSINGTON
DASKA BARNETT
PRINCIPAL
ELAINE STYLES
CHLOE ROBSON
BSc. (Hons) MCOptom

BSc. (Hons) MCOptom Dip CLP

BSc. (Hons) MCOptom

OPTOMETRISTS – CONTACT LENSES

How is it treated?
Convex lenses, eyeglasses or contact lenses are usually prescribed. They bend light
more sharply and bring them to focus on the retina. If you do not have other vision
problems such as astigmatism, you may only need glasses for reading or other tasks
done at a close range.

To determine the best avenue of treatment, your eye care professional may ask a
number of questions about your lifestyle, occupation, daily activities and general
health status. For instance, you may be asked whether you frequently need near
vision. Providing candid, considered answers to the questions and working with your
eye care professional will help assure that your corrective lenses contribute to clear
sight and general comfort.

A comprehensive eye examination at the recommended intervals will ensure that

minor changes in vision are diagnosed and treated so that your vision will remain as
clear and comfortable as possible.

How will hypermetropia affect your lifestyle?

If glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, it may take a few days to adjust to them.
After that, farsightedness probably will not significantly affect your lifestyle.

36 EARLS COURT ROAD LONDON W8 6EA TEL: 020 7938 1251 FAX: 7938 4403
EMAIL: info@specsofken.com WEBSITE: www.specsofken.com